Ancient Egypt conquered Kush in around 2500 BC before losing
control at the start of the Third Intermediate Period in 1075 BC,
and in that time they took "hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds of
gold each year" in tribute, Mr Emberling said.

The new discoveries show that ancient Kush extended for up to
750 miles along the River Nile.

Near the gold processing centre, the archaeologists found some
ninety graves.

"We found one laughably tiny gold bead in the burials, but that
was the only gold we found," Mr Emberling said.

"It seems certain that the gold was not used locally. Very
likely the gold was for the benefit of the ruler and his circle in
Kerma," 225 miles upstream from Hosh el-Geruf.